Top 5 Career Tips From A Veteran Recruiter

Angela Solomon • March 5, 2019

As someone who has been in the recruiting business for over two decades now, I have seen my fair share of Candidates at various junctures in their career: Candidates who consistently flourish in the work they do; Candidates who also experience job stagnation and complacency; As well as Candidates who have made some mistakes along their journey only to rebound and triumph. All these paths are discretionary and dependent on individual circumstance but either way there's no judgement. What sticks out for me most is: whether it's Candidates young, fresh out of college, the middle of the road candidates (who need a recharge), and the older ones, tired and worn, they all ask the same question: How do I make myself STANDOUT and BE NOTICED? Standout to get hired? Standout in the job they're in? Standout to move up? Standout to reposition my career? The recurring theme as you can see is the desire to STANDOUT and BE SEEN.


 Here are my top five 2019 career tips to STANDOUT, BE SEEN, and GET NOTICED:


 1) Be UNAPOLOGETICALLY you - this year is all about bringing your true self to work, which means you get to celebrate your cultural pride, whether it's how you wear your hair or how you decide to dress or speak. More and more workplaces are creating safe spaces to allow employee comfortability and acceptance when it comes to cultural differences.


 2) Make MOVES for you - wherever you are in your career, you need to always be in hustle mode. Standout employees always up the ante in their career and have their hands in many different things at the same time. Whether it's making an effort to attend more mixer events, continuing your education, or getting certifications to improve yourself, just do it; it will help you in the end.


 3) Know your WORTH - I always write about this because this is one of the most important career tips I can give. Knowing exactly what you have to offer to each job works in your favor every time. How are you the best fit for the role you are in or trying to get hired for? Know your skills and expertise and bring your proven track record. Accomplishments and confidence factor into the promotion you seek, as well as your title and pay.


 4) There's NO ONE Like You – You have to make yourself irreplaceable. Whatever industry you are in, make yourself an authority and leader. Whatever company you work for at the end of the day, do your job like no other, thus making you irreplaceable. Trust and believe the buzz surrounding you and your work ethic will take flight. This will only work in your favor because recruiters like me will try to poach you about new and exciting opportunities. Your current company may also try their hardest to keep you in pay, benefits, quality of life, etc.


 5 ) PLAN your next job or career with full on fervor and purpose - I was speaking to a candidate about this just this morning. He's an accountant ready to make a move to a different industry and feels as if his experience is easily transferable across different industries. This is where visualization and soul searching comes into play, establishing a plan and acting upon it. Setting realistic expectations on how to begin your search is key. How's the resume looking? Needing to brush up on interviewing? All these things require preparation and mental readiness.

These are just a few powerful career tips that will ensure your STANDOUT status. I am hoping that you walk away from this quick read feeling inspired to take yourself to the next level. I believe if you unapologetically walk into who you truly are, you will feel empowered as your own authentic self. Making moves that allow you be seen involves continuous networking and learning. Never stop! Stepping into your worth will be rewarding when you fully understand what worth looks like to you. Knowing that only you can do your job the best is a powerful tool that can help you at your current job or your next. Everything requires a plan and your next job or career is no different. Remember, you want to STANDOUT, BE SEEN, and GET NOTICED!


I am someone who sees incredible potential and opportunity in places where some people don't think to look. Minorities and women are still marginalized in the working world. As owner of a diversity staffing boutique, my team and I walk alongside our Clients in creating professional environments that are truly for ALL. I believe in our interconnectedness as a human race and strive every day to use my gifts to empower the workplace’s invisible and powerless. I rarely bet on certainty and always root for the underdog because, after all, those are the best stories to tell.


Hi there! Thanks for reading! Follow Angela Solomon on her social profiles! | LinkedIn: /ASolomonRecruits | Facebook: @ASolomonRecruits | Instagram: @A.SolomonRecruits | Twitter: @AS_Recruits | Pinterest: @AS_Recruits

The Evolving Landscape of Corporate DEI: Key Insights from Recent Reports

By Angela Solomon • October 10, 2024
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From Stale Bread to Fresh Ideas: The DNA of Today's Thriving Professional

By Angela Solomon • September 26, 2024
As a career coach and self-proclaimed lifelong learner, I’m always telling my clients, “If you’re not growing, you’re going stale—and let’s face it, nobody likes stale bread.” In today’s fast-changing workforce, it’s not enough to just show up anymore. Success now means adapting, learning, and constantly evolving with the world around you. The DNA of today’s working professional is in constant motion, and if you’re still running on yesterday’s playbook, you might just miss out on what’s ahead. Today’s workforce looks nothing like it did a decade ago. Tech is transforming every industry, and there’s a bigger focus on values like flexibility, inclusivity, and personal growth. People want more from their careers—they want purpose, not just a paycheck. The DNA of today’s working professional is all about adaptability, self-motivation, and being comfortable with change. So, let’s dive into how today’s professional DNA stacks up against the past: 1. Adaptability vs. Stability Today : Flexibility is everything. Whether it’s technology, business practices, or job roles, change is constant. Professionals need to be able to pivot and pick up new skills quickly. If you're not evolving, you're likely being left behind. Yesterday : Stability was the goal. You stayed in one job or industry, building deep expertise in a specific area. Specialization was the key to success, and change was something you tried to avoid. 2. Continuous Learning vs. Credential-Driven Success Today : Learning never stops. Whether it’s through online courses, certifications, or simply staying on top of industry trends, professionals are expected to keep their skills fresh. It's not just about what you learned in school—it's about what you keep learning. Yesterday : A degree, especially from a well-known school, was often enough to get you through your career. Once you had the right credentials, continuous learning wasn’t a huge focus. 3. Agility in Technology vs. Traditional Tools Today : Being tech-savvy isn’t optional. From automation to collaboration tools, technology is part of almost every job. You’ve got to be able to use these tools to stay relevant. Yesterday : Tools like spreadsheets and email were enough for most roles. Technology was there, but it wasn’t deeply integrated into non-tech jobs the way it is today. 4. Values-Driven Work vs. Hierarchical Loyalty Today : People want purpose, not just a paycheck. Employees are looking for work that aligns with their values, and companies that support things like work-life balance and mental health. It’s not just about loyalty anymore—it’s about feeling good about where you work. Yesterday : Loyalty to a company was a major factor. You worked hard, stayed loyal, and didn’t necessarily expect the company to care about your personal values. The focus was on putting in the time and doing the work. 5. Diversity & Inclusion as a Key Focus vs. Homogeneous Workplaces Today : Diversity and inclusion aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. Today’s professionals expect their workplaces to reflect a wide range of perspectives, genders, and experiences. Everyone wants to feel seen and valued. Yesterday : Diversity wasn’t as much of a priority. Many workplaces were homogenous, and inclusion wasn’t discussed the way it is today. 6. Agile Leadership vs. Command-and-Control Management Today : Leadership is about collaboration and empathy. Today’s leaders are facilitators, mentors, and motivators. They encourage open communication and care about the people, not just the tasks. Yesterday : Leadership was more about control. It was top-down, with leaders making decisions and everyone else following orders. The focus was on managing tasks, not people. 7. Freelancing & Flexibility vs. Full-Time, Traditional Employment Today : Flexibility is the name of the game. Freelancing, contracting, and remote work are all becoming more popular as professionals look for control over their schedules and projects. Yesterday : Full-time employment with a single company was the norm. People worked their way up the corporate ladder and stuck around for the long haul. 8. Networking & Personal Branding vs. Quiet Expertise Today : Building a personal brand is important. It’s not enough to do great work—you need to make sure people know you’re doing great work. Networking on platforms like LinkedIn has become a key part of staying visible in your industry. Yesterday : You could quietly focus on your expertise. Long-term relationships and internal company networks were often enough to advance your career. 9. Emphasis on Soft Skills vs. Technical Mastery Alone Today : Emotional intelligence, communication, and collaboration are highly valued. You’ve got to be able to work well with others and adapt to different working styles. Yesterday : Technical skills were often enough to get by. Soft skills mattered, but they didn’t get the same level of attention as they do now. 10. Entrepreneurial Mindset vs. Following the Corporate Playbook Today : Whether or not you’re starting your own business, having an entrepreneurial mindset can make a difference. Professionals today take ownership of their work, innovate, and even pursue side projects. Yesterday : Following the established corporate path was expected. You worked your way up within existing structures, and entrepreneurship was considered a more niche career path. The DNA of today’s working professional is all about adaptability, purpose, and continuous growth. In contrast, yesterday’s professional valued stability, loyalty, and expertise in a more rigid structure. The modern professional thrives in a world that’s always changing, where technology and values shape careers as much as hard skills. Whether you’re freelancing, leading a team, or climbing the corporate ladder, the message is clear: if you’re not learning and evolving, you’re getting left behind. I empower the Invisible. I ignite Success. As a Black woman, small business owner, and advocate for inclusion, I’ve built my career around seeing potential where others may overlook. Through my staffing boutique and professional development/coaching service, I focus on creating real opportunities for marginalized communities, including women, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, disabled, and veteran professionals. I root for the underdog because they have the best stories to tell—and the most untapped potential.  #CareerGrowth #AdaptabilityMatters #LifelongLearning #ProfessionalDNA #ThriveAtWork #FutureOfWork #EvolveOrFade #InclusiveWorkplace #LeadershipEvolution #TechSavvySkills